INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- — The Chargers make it four straight with their last second touchdown over the Cincinnati Bengals, 34-27. Los Angeles nearly squandered an 18-point lead on Sunday night but found a way to finish off the reeling Bengals. With the victory, the Chargers are now 7-3 and right in the mix when it comes to AFC Wild Card race.
Here are takeaways from the Chargers win over the Bengals:
Los Angles bolts out to an early lead
The Chargers dominated the first half on Sunday night.
Los Angeles could do nothing wrong against the Bengals during the first 30 minutes of the game.
Justin Herbert was sharp, Dobbins found holes to run through and the defense harassed the Bengals offense helping them jump out to a 24-6 lead at the half.
It looked like the Chargers would walk away with a dominating victory over a feisty Bengals team.
The Chargers couldn’t keep up this lights out play and it lead to an instant classic at SoFi Stadium.
Herbert and McConkey finding their groove at the right time
Quterback Justin Herbert and rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey played extremely well on Sunday night.
Herbert went 17/36 for 297 yards with 2 touchdown passes. Herbert added 65 yards rushing with just five carries. He led the team in rushing and also led the drive to help seal the win for the Chargers.
He found McConkey for 6 catches for 123 yards. The McConkey and Herbert connection was key to the game-winning drive.
Herbert found McConkey on a 28-yard pass followed by a 27-yard pass that helped the Chargers get in position for the late score by running back J.K. Dobbins.
The Herbert & McConkey connection has picked up these last few weeks and is why the offense is thriving right now.
Dobbins saves the day!
Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins didn’t have the most productive day but he saved his best for last.
Dobbins finished the game with only 11 carries for 56 yards. He made those carries count as he finished the day with two touchdowns.
His first touchdown in the second quarter put the Chargers up 21-6 when the offense was rolling.
His second score was the decisive score for the Chargers to keep the Bengals from stealing a victory. Dobbins broke a few tackles and dove in the end zone for the 29-yard touchdown with 18 seconds remaining.
Not sure why Dobbins had such few touches but when he was needed he came through for his team.
First test is a pass for the Chargers
Coming into this game the talk around the Chargers was that they didn’t defeat any real competition.
The Bengals were their first true test during this streak of playing elite quarterbacks for the Chargers.
Though the Bengals came in 4-6, you knew with Joe Burrow they would be a tough challenge.
Burrow ended up with 356 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Burrow & the Bengals took the Chargers down to the wire but they found a way to win.
Up next is a Monday night matchup against the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson.
One test the Chargers passed, now, on to the next.